Hampton Inn & Suites- San Luis Obispo

This mid-range hotel from the Hampton Inn chain offers contemporary interiors. As to be expected, common spaces are chainlike, but they're clean and pleasant. An inviting lobby is adjoined by a heigh-ceilinged dining area where the free hot breakfast is served daily. Bright and airy, it's a pleasant space in which to begin the day. The property attracts a mix of both leisure and business travelers, with families and couples mainly staying here on the weekends, while business guests visit on weekdays. Midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, it's also a popular spot for road-trippers, and visitors of nearby Cal Poly University stay here.

The hotel is situated right off the highway (Route 101) on the edge of San Luis Obispo. There are a handful of other hotels and inns in the immediate area, as well as a diner, but not much else; a car is necessary to get around as the area isn't conducive to walking. The city center is a six-minute drive away, where guests will find dining options, shops, and a couple of attractions like the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bubblegum Alley, and Cal Poly University. The Downtown SLO Farmers Market (seven-minute drive) is a popular destination on Thursday nights, offering not only food and fresh produce, but also entertainment and activities. Hearst Castle is around a 50-minute drive. Los Angeles and its airport are about three hours and 20 minutes away. San Francisco is about a four-hour drive. San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is a five-minute drive from the hotel.

Rooms feature tasteful contemporary decor that pairs a color palette of beiges, browns, and olive green hues with sleek black furniture. Patterned carpeting and olive-colored accent walls are a backdrop to beds topped with white linens and furnishings that include desks with ergonomic chairs. Framed photographs adorn the walls and add an elegant touch to the spaces. Some rooms and all suites have sleeper sofas; suites also add wet bars. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, microwaves, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are typically chainlike, equipped with shower/tub combos or walk-in showers and granite-topped sink vanities that offer a good amount of storage space. Hairdryers and Neutrogena toiletries are provided. Note that traffic noise from the nearby highway can be audible in some rooms.

One of the perks here is a free hot breakfast that's served daily in a pleasant dining room. It includes a make-your-own waffle station, eggs, breakfast meats, oatmeal, pastries and breads, and fresh fruit. To-go breakfast bags are also available for those in a hurry. Besides breakfast, there is no full restaurant or bar, but a small shop sells snacks, drinks, and sundries.

The hotel also offers a small indoor pool and a hot tub, as well as a fitness room equipped with a couple of cardio and strength-training machines and free weights. Other amenities include a business center with two computers and a printer, a meeting room, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Free perks include outdoor parking, weekday newspapers, and coffee and tea in the lobby that are available 24/7.